Category: open source

In a declaration published this week, Free Software Foundation (FSF) president Richard Stallman said that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) unfairly punishes suspected file-sharers and could block anti-digital rights management software.

“ACTA threatens, in a disguised way, to punish Internet users with disconnection if they are accused of sharing, and requires countries to prohibit software that can break Digital Restrictions Management (DRM), also known as digital handcuffs,” said Stallman.

A draft version of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was published in April. The publication follows criticism froml freedom campaigners that the negotiations on the legislation were happening in secret. The backers of the proposed legisation claim that it is not about limiting the freedom of computer users but tackling serious cyber-crime.

Not About Harassing Consumers

“ACTA is about tackling activities pursued by criminal organisations, which frequently pose a threat to public health and safety. It is not about limiting civil liberties or harassing consumers,” a statement from the stakeholders involved in ACTA claimed in April.